DuckTales © Disney
"WEBBY!" exclaimed Mrs. Beakley.
"DANNY!" exclaimed Donald.
Danny and Webby gasped upon seeing a very furious Mystica De Spell glaring down at them.
She then looked behind her. Everyone could see that HALF the ship was blown apart,
with nothing left of the other half but a think cluster of colorful crystals seeded into the cavern.
"do you..Have ANY Idea..WHAT YOU'VE JUST DONE!?" shouted Mystica, enraged.
Danny quickly repelled Webby away just as Mystica struck at him with a concussive blast.
Webby gasped as she saw Danny laying motionless on the floor.
..which was only made worse when Mystica lifted him up, and began to choke him telekinetically.
"DANNY!" screamed Webby.
"If my master kills me for this..I WILL SEE YOU DIE BY MY HAND FIRST!"
Danny clutched his neck, gasping for air as his throat was slowly crushed.
"LETHIMGO, YOUWITCH!" shouted Donald.
But, the angry duck was effortlessly repelled with a wave of Mystica's free hand.
But, then-
((*ZZZRRRRRRRRRR!*))
Mystica was suddenly bombarded by bright green lightning, forcing her to release Danny.
As Danny couched harshly, All eyes fell on Magica..whose hands were sparking.
Mystica snickered as she rose up. "and, here I was afraid you had gone SOFT."
Magica scowled, her eyes burning with rage. "I may not be evil witch anymore." began Magica.
"..BUT, that doesn't mean I am "Prissy Fairy", either!"
Mystica was about to reach for her Plasma Sword..UNTIL the room began to shake, and creak.
Then, all of a sudden. the room shook so violently, everyone fell to the floor.
"WA-WA-WHAAAAAT'S HA-HAP-PE-PENNIIIING!?" stuttered Webby.
"ISITANEARTHQUAKE!?" exclaimed Donald.
"IM-POSSIBLE!" responded Scrooge. "I B-BUILT THIS ROT-TA-TUNDA TO BE QUA-AKE RESISTANT!"
Mystica gasped in horror. "oh, no.."
At that moment..Everyone felt what was left of the ship being lifted.
Sunlight soon spilt into the severed end of the ship's hull as it dropped to the ground.
Everyone looked out..and, saw the dusty runway of the abandoned airfield before him
No longer were they underground. SOMEHOW the ship was ripped from the very earth.
There was no time to be confused..as Danny, Magica, AND Mystica alike felt a cold feeling.
Only this was different from Mystica. This felt VERY cold..Colder than the Arctic Tundra.
..Then, a faint sound was heard from a distance.
((*krssshhh..fwhhooo...*))
Mystica froze, becoming pale as a ghost..which surprised Magica.
Never had she felt her counterpart feel FEAR before..and, this felt powerful.
((*Krssshhh..Fwhhooo.*))
The sound grew louder. To Scrooge, it sounded like a respirator.
They all stared out..and, saw a dark silloette emerge from the thick dust and sand.
As it grew closer, the coldness intensified..as did the strange sound.
((*Krssshhh..Fwhhooo..KRSSSHHH!..FWHHOOO!*))
At last the figured approached the gaping opening in the ship.
..and, everyone froze still like statues.
The figure was TALL..Barely taller than Mrs. Beakley.
It was clearly a man, and garbed in black clothing with arched, armored shoulders.
He wore a long, hooded cloak that blew in the winds like big, black and red wings.
and, while his hood was draped over his face..they could see he wore a helmet-like mask.
His mask was angular, shaped like a skull with a grill-like mouthpiece.
and, the "eyes" were little more than a ruby red horizontal lens that resembled an "Evil Gizmoduck."
As he entered the ship..it was clear that the prior strange sounds
was his own breathing through the intimidating facemask.
Once he stopped to face the group..Mystica fell to her knees. "Lord Zelus.." spoke Mystica, her voice shaky
Danny and Magica exchanged glances. 'LORD Zelus?', was THIS Mystica's mysterious dark master?!'
"f-forgive me, my master..I have failed you."
Zelus looked down to Mystica. There was no way to tell what he was feeling.
Based on his mask alone, he just looked cold, and unfeeling.
(("Yes. You DID.")) spoke Zelus, his voice bearing a mechanical echo to it.
..Then, Zelus opened his hand, and unleashed a powerful stream of blue lightning at Mystica.
The duck woman screamed in anguish as the blue lighting surged through her body.
It was difficult to watch..Even for Magica. This 'Lord Zelus' was not only powerful..but, BRUTAL.
Once Zelus stopped torturing Mystica, he spoke again. (("That was but a TASTE of what is to come.."))
"p-please..permit me a chance..to redeem myself." begged Mystica through pained breaths.
(("You HAD a chance to make up for your past failure..")) said Zelus.
(("Now, BEGONE from my sight..I shall deal with you LATER."))
With that, Zelus shot another stream of dark energy at Mystica.
The duck woman screamed, but then vanished in a flash of light, and sound of thunder.
..leaving only a scorch mark where Mystica once knelt.
((*Krssshhh..Fwhhooo.*)) Danny and Webby froze, completely terrified.
As Zelus walked, the adults prepared for an attack..but, none came.
the dark figure just walked right by them..as if they were nothing to him.
Scrooge sweated a little, Now regretting that he sacrificed his cane earlier.
He had faced many powerful beings in his life, but this one felt different somehow.
It was as if standing in the presence of HADES himself.
The group watched as the dark lord examined the interior of the wrecked ship.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
(("You look just like him..")) spoke Zelus, finally.
Danny looked around..then, looked at the figure. "Are you..talking to ME?"
(("Yes.")) replied Zelus, as he turned and approached Danny.
The Adults and Webby stood near Danny, expecting the worst.
..But, Zelus still maintained a calm, non-aggressive composure.
"Who..do I look like?" asked Danny.
(("Valore Paldine..your FATHER."))
Mrs. Beakley grasped Danny's shoulders protectively. "and, how do you know the boy's father?"
Zelus inhaled again..then, answered: (("he was my Brother."))
Danny gasped, a look of horror on his face.
"but, then..that means you are-" Scrooge couldn't even finish his sentence.
"HisUNCLE." spoke Donald, dejectively.
Danny was in shock. It was almost too much to take in.
Standing before him was not only an adult version of his mysterious species,
But was also (as far as HE knew) his only surviving family.
..But, he also knew that he was Mystica De Spell's "Dark Master",
and had intended to use the Master Kaiburr Crystal as a superweapon.
It was like..Well. Like learning "Magica De Spell" was your "Aunt."
Danny had to step back, fearful of this man even more.
(("Do not fear me, 'VICTOR'. We are FAMILY.")) said Zelus, apparently addressing Danny by his "true" name.
"My NAME is Danny.." said Danny, his voice shaky. "and, I already have an uncle."
"YEAH!, SOBEATIT!" exclaimed Donald (who was either Really Brave, or Really Stupid.)
(("Sorry, BOY. But you don't belong on this backwater world.")) began Zelus.
(("It is time for you to return home with me. NOW."))
Webby stepped between Danny, and Lord Zelus. "WEBBIGAIL!" exclaimed Mrs. Beakley, fearful.
"He already has a home..WITH US!" shouted Webby, defiantly. "And, we don't care if you ARE his uncle.
You are an EVIL man..and, Danny is nothing like you. He doesn't BELONG with you."
(("I don't make Requests, Avian..I MAKE DEMANDS."))
Webby stood her ground. In truth, she was terrified of this "dark wizard"
But, something compelled her to ignore her fear, and not back down.
Magica grew concerned. She sensed things would turn grim if she didn't act.
As powerful as Lord Zelus was, only SHE had the power to have a SLIM chance at standing against him.
She looked, and then spotted an elaborately crafted metallic cylinder laying on the floor.
Magica knew it had to be another of those "Plasma Swords" powered by those magic crystals.
Thinking quickly, she pulled the hilt into her grasp. ((*SSSSCCK!, Hmmmm..*))
Lord Zelus then looked, and saw the shorter doppelganger of his apprentice facing him.
She was brandishing a GREEN colored Plasma Blade at him in a defensive manner.
..he recognized the weapon.
(("Serene's lightsaber..")) spoke Zelus, anger in his voice.
"Is that what it's called?" said Mrs. Beakley.
"Serene?" spoke Danny, recognizing the name of his birth mother.
"Begone, Lord of Darkness.." began Magica. "We are Danny's guardians..HE belongs with us."
Zelus just stared, his emotions unreadable due to his mask (But, Magica suspected he was glaring at her with rage.)
He then pulled his own lightsaber into his grasp. It had a more 'twisted' shape, and bore silver blades at the end.
..and oddly, it had two nodes on each side of it's end.
((*SSSSCCK!, Hmmmm..*))
As Zelus ignited his lightsaber, it also sported a red plasma blade like Mystica's.
but, it ALSO had two shorter plasma blades from the nodes at it's sides.
The weapon resembled a medieval "crossguard" sword.
((*Krssshhh..Fwhhooo.*)) Lord Zelus just stood his ground. holding his lightsaber out to his side.
The man wasn't the least bit concerned. acting as if Magica was 'less than nothing.'
Magica sweated a little. Her opponent reminded her of a "Black Knight"
(the one thing she feared, due to 'Knights' were "witch hunters" in ancient times.)
She could feel the strength of his own magic..it was STRONG, and incredibly dark.
so strong, Magica worried if it was even wise to challenge him.
Even her evil counterpart feared this man..and, she didn't seem to fear anything!
Magica made the first move, and advanced forward with a strong strike.
Zelous effortlessly blocked her attack, and continued to hold his position.
Magica's every attack was deflected with infuriating ease.
Zelus showed no weakness, left no vulnerable windows open to exploit.
He was a like mountain..standing his ground against the raging storm.
Magica soon began to tire..having to stop to catch her breath.
(("finished?")) spoke Zelus, as if annoyed.
Magica looked at Zelus..who then advanced as he began HIS attack.
One strike made contact with her block. a Second Strike knocked her off balanced.
and, the third..severed her very hand from her body.
"AAAARGH!" screamed Magica, as she held the nub where her hand used to be.
"MAGICA!" yelled Scrooge, horrified.
Zelus then effortlessly repelled Magica away with a single opening of his palm,
and then pulled Serene's lightsaber from Magica's severed hand into his own grasp.
As Scrooge ran to Magica, Everyone else just stared in shock at what had just happened.
Magica gave it her all, but Zelus beat her in just THREE moves!
"Magica..my sweet, are you-"
Magica winced, the pain that she was feeling was SEARING.
Fortunately she was not bleeding, as the heat from the plasma blade burned her wound closed.
She gazed over at Zelus..who fastened the Serene's lightsaber to his belt.
CLEARLY it had personal significance to him..Otherwise he would've destroyed it.
"WAAAAAAAARRRRRGH!" Out of nowhere Donald jumped on Zelus, and began to furiously beat on him.
"DONALD, NO!" called Scrooge.
"UNCLE DONALD!" exclaimed Danny, scared.
"LEAVE..MYFAMLY..ALOOOONE!" shouted Donald, angrily.
Zelus just stood motionless as the duck pounded against his helmet in vain.
Annoyed, the dark lord grasped Donald's throat with his hand, and tossed him aside.
(("I tire of these pointless games..")) began Zelus, as turned and looked at Danny.
(("I am taking you NOW, Victor. Even if I have to drag your mangled body back with me."))
Mrs. Beakley was now the last line of defense, and stood between the two children.
She herself knew she was no match for this man..But, was prepared to die defending them.
Danny, however..was not.
"STOP IT!" shouted Danny, as he ran up between them both. "I won't let you hurt them ANYMORE!"
(("Then, SURRENDER. It is the only way."))
"NO." Danny pulled random bits of scrap and machine parts,
and began to forge a hilt around his gold crystal, forming a makeshift Lightsaber.
He ignited it, and made a defensive stance against who may very well be his biological uncle.
(("You are your mother's son.")) said Zelus, as he brandished his own Lightsaber.
THIS TIME, he looked ready to fight seriously..which worried everyone.
Before, he wasn't even trying. NOW, he was going to make an actual effort.
"..Danny!" called Magica, her voice weak.
Danny looked over at Magica..JUST as she shot a ball of ethereal green energy at the Boy.
Danny gasped as he felt energy surge through his body, making him feel..Elevated.
Magica then slumped back, feeling weaker.
"a..portion of my magic. is now YOURS." spoke Magica.
Zelus swung his blade at Danny..who quickly blocked it. He then swung hard, channeling energy through his blade.
This actually succeeded in pushing Zelus TEN FEET away from Danny.
Both Danny and Zelus stared for a full minute. Danny was stronger now.
Strong enough to hold his own against the dark lord.
((*WHOOOB!, KRACK!, WHOOB!, ZRRRR!*))
Zelus swung his lightsaber hard against Danny..who blocked his strikes.
But, it wasn't easy. as Zelus had unnatural strength comparable to a MACHINE.
Danny felt his arms may've broken off if not for the power boost from Magica.
Danny attempted to use his powers, and upon charging his free hand with energy,
shot the strongest concussive blast he had even done in his life.
It was VERY powerful. Like thunder, it obliterated several objects in the room.
..but, only singed Zelus cloak, and slid him back less than ten feet, or so.
Danny gasped..then, was bombarded with rapid concussive shots from Zelus.
Each were every bit as strong as his single, amplified shot..only, more numerous.
Danny failed to defend against them, and was not only flung into the air,
but was battered like a ragdoll in mid-air, and flung into a wall.
"DANNY!" screamed Webby, who was held back by Mrs. Beakley.
Danny groaned, his body now aching as he lay defeated on the floor.
His clothes were tattered, and torn. and, he lost his gold lightsaber.
His power boost gone, he was now in tremendous pain as Zelus slowly approached him.
(("It is OVER, boy. Don't make me destroy you..don't be like your father."))
Danny glared up at Zelus..but, could do nothing.
He couldn't fight..he couldn't even RUN. he was totally helpless.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Webby finally escaped from her grandmother's grasp.
She the grabbed Danny's lightsaber, slid between Zelus' legs,
and twirled around as she stood a few feet between the two, and ignited the golden blade.
"WEBBIGAIL, NO!" screamed Mrs. Beakley.
"we-webby..don't." gasped Danny. "he'll..k-kill you."
Webby stood her ground. She knew it was hopeless..but, she wasn't going to stand by and watch
as this monster took away her best friend that she loved more than anything.
She was prepared to die defending him..then live knowing that she did nothing.
"If you want him..you'll have to go through ME, first." spoke Webby, sternly.
Zelus looked amused. (("If that is your destiny..SO BE IT."))
Zelus began to take a step to approach the apparently doomed duckling..
But, then..a faint sound was heard.
((*rrrrrRRRRRRHH...*))
Everyone looked out to the gaping opening of the wrecked ship.
They looked into the sky, and saw a small object that slowly got bigger, and Bigger.
"scroogie..what is that?" asked Magica
Scooge squinted his old eyes. "I dinnae know..it looks like-"
"ASPACESHIP!?" exclaimed Donald.
((*RRRRRRRRRHHHHH!*))
Everyone gasped to see what looked like a futuristic fighter plane speeding towards them.
Zelus used his dark powers to stare into the cockpit..and, actually gasped at who was inside.
(("della.."))
"RRAAAAARRRRRRGH!" Screamed Della Duck, as she flew straight at Lord Zelus.
[End of Part 16]
[GUEST REVIEW REPLIES]
"So the baby in the potential future was a human-duck hybrid...?
Huh... maybe it would have grown up into a Mighty Duck (since some of the characters from that cartoon show have hair)...?"
An excellent point made. Particularly since the Duck characters in Disney's The Mighty Ducks
ALREADY looked more humanoid than even the very shapely Morgana Macawber from Darkwing Duck.
Wildwing and his team were practically Human/Duck hybrids.
"How did Mystica survive an explosion at near point-blank range (due to her proximity to the massive crystal)?!
She screamed "NO!" at the top of her lungs and still had time to put up a protection spell for herself?! That's just crazy!"
To quote Jafar: "You would be SURPRISED at what you can live through.."
But, to give some practical explanation. Her very HATRED gave her the strength to survive.
(that, and she disappeared at the very last second.)
[Author Notes]
At long last I finally reveal who the mysterious Dark One/Dark Master really is.
(and, sorry. it wasn't Merlock.)
Okay, so. Trivia Time.
Lord Zelus (or, "Darth Zelus") is an OC based on a few Sith Lord characters from Star Wars.
Yes, Darth Vader was a huge basis, while other traits I based from The Old Republic's Darth Malgus,
and the Sith Stalker version of Starkiller from The Force Unleashed (and, some of Kylo Ren..the GOOD parts, anyway.)
ALSO, Zelus is "voiced" by Mark Hamill (using his Darth Bane voice from The Clone Wars.)
"Zelus" is a play on the words "Zealous", as well as "Zealot"
(but, was also meant to sound similar to the word "Jealous". Figure it out.)
I made Zelus Danny's Uncle, as the "I am Your Father!" thing has been done,
and would've been far too easy to parody.
(Plus, I feel Danny having a villainous uncle had a deeper meaning, all things considered.)
I bet you all thought that Danny would lose his hand like Luke, didn't you?
Well, SOMEONE lost their hand to a lightsaber alright..it just wasn't Danny.
The point of this chapter was to show just how Powerful Zelus is compared to Mystica.
In that he barely had to even give much effort to beat anyone, and the only thing that CAN stop him..
..Is crashing a whole, dang starfighter on him.
(and, I couldn't think of a better way for Della Duck to make her big return than THAT.)